The Claim
Higher adherence to the traditional Costa Rican diet is associated with significantly lower ultra-processed food intake, with adolescents in the highest adherence category consuming 29.9% of energy from ultra-processed foods compared to 43.9% in the lowest adherence category, demonstrating a clear gradient between dietary pattern adherence and ultra-processed food consumption.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Adolescents who follow the traditional Costa Rican diet more closely consume less ultra-processed food, with those most adherent getting nearly 14 percentage points less energy from ultra-processed foods than those least adherent.
See the scientific wording
Higher adherence to the traditional Costa Rican diet is associated with significantly lower ultra-processed food intake, with adolescents in the highest adherence category consuming 29.9% of energy from UPF compared to 43.9% in the lowest adherence category, demonstrating a clear gradient between dietary pattern and UPF consumption.
When people eat more traditional foods like beans, rice, and fresh produce, their stomachs and brains get full with those foods, leaving less room and desire for ultra-processed snacks and drinks. Over time, the taste preferences shift to favor natural flavors, and the body stops craving the high sugar, salt, and fat in ultra-processed foods.
What the research says
1 studyTeens who eat more traditional Costa Rican foods like beans and rice eat much less junk food—those who stick closest to the traditional diet get less than one-third of their calories from ultra-processed foods, while those who eat less traditional food get almost half their calories from it.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.